Bezel panel mounting system

ABSTRACT

A bezel panel mounting system height adjustably disposed within a plastic molded case for supporting panel supported equipment having corner pieces and rails disposed between the corner pieces. Each corner piece has two legs extending from a rounded endpoint which corresponds geometrically with a corner of the case, and having two male members opposite the endpoint on the legs for mating with a female feature on two ends of the rail. The panel is supported on a flat surface of the corner pieces and rails. A crevice is disposed adjacent flat surfaces and outer sides of each rail and corner piece for a gasket. Openings are disposed on the sides and flat surfaces of the rails and corners which correspond to openings in the case and panel to receive retainer devices. O-rings may be disposed on the retainer devices between rails/corner pieces and sides of the case.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a system for mounting a panel in cases, and in particular, relates to a panel mounting system having bezel corner pieces which mate with bezel rails cut to fit at a desired elevation in a plastic molded case.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Plastic carrying cases equipped with a panel to support panel-mounted equipment are known. Such cases are used in a large variety of circumstances but are especially useful where portability of panel-mounted equipment is desired. These cases typically have a molded ledge, or one piece bezel, where the panel rests. Panels may be positioned in such cases at only a single elevation. These conventional cases do not permit end-user specification of the elevation of the panel. If an end-user has special needs, a plastic case and panel must be constructed to the end-users specifications.

[0003] One-piece molded frames for mounting panels exist, but a one-piece frame will only fit one size of case, and cannot be slid up and down in the case to any desired height because the fit will become too tight or too loose due to the drafted walls of the case molding.

[0004] Both interfitting corners and side pieces are known in the prior art. U.S. Pat. No. 6,131,713 issued to Sher discloses a luggage framework which describes the use of interfitting corners and side piece reinforcements for luggage. U.S. Pat. No. 3,330,389 issued to Kaplan shows interfitting ribs for luggage. U.S. Pat. No. 4,165,003 issued to Brader discloses interlocking pieces for the walls of a container. None of these devices are designed to hold a panel in a plastic case.

[0005] It is also known in the prior art to use a framework fitted around a container or around the inside of a container to support the weight of another object. U.S. Pat. No. 206,429 issued to Field describes a mounted wire employed to support the shape of a container. These known frameworks fit in a particular place in a container and cannot be adjusted to the users specification without requiring extensive customizing.

[0006] None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singularly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The present invention relates to a bezel panel mounting system for mounting a panel in a molded plastic case, and a plastic molded case having a bezel panel mounting system therein. The mounting system is disposed within the case for supporting panel supported equipment. The bezel panel mounting system consists of corner pieces and rails disposed between the corner pieces. Each corner piece has two legs extending from a rounded endpoint which corresponds geometrically with a corner of the molded plastic case. Each leg has a male member opposite the endpoint and each rail has two ends with a female feature for mating with the male member.

[0008] The panel is supported on a flat surface comprised of the corner pieces and rails. A crevice or groove is disposed adjacent the flat surfaces and outer sides of each rail and corner piece for receiving a gasket. The gasket is used to seal the panel to the case providing waterproofing. Openings are disposed on the sides of the rails and corners which correspond to openings in the case to receive retainer devices which secure the mounting system to the case. O-rings and/or gaskets may be disposed on the retainer devices between the rails/corner pieces and the sides of the case. Openings are disposed on the flat surfaces corresponding to openings in the panel to receive retainer devices therethrough. The retainer devices may be screws, rivets and the like and are used to secure the mounting system to the case and to the panel.

[0009] An advantage of the present invention is that the height of the panel may be adjusted by the user. The user can cut the rails to correspond to the proper depth of the panel, and can drill or punch holes through the sides of the plastic molded case at the desired level for the use of fastening devices to secure the panel at the desired level.

[0010] Another advantage of the present invention is that the panel mounting system can be used with virtually any plastic molded case provided the corner pieces and the corners of the case correspond. Furthermore, the present invention does not require the manufacture of a large number of models of panel mounting cases to permit the customer to select the desired case. Since the height can be adjusted there is no need to separately manufacture cases with different ledge (bezel) heights.

[0011] Yet another advantage of the present invention is to provide a gasket which can be placed in a crevice to provide a watertight seal between the panel and the case. Furthermore, O-rings or gaskets can be used to seal around the retaining devices as well.

[0012] These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following drawings and specification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] The novel features of the described embodiments are specifically set forth in the appended claims; however, embodiments relating to the structure and process of making the present invention, may best be understood with reference to the following description and accompanying drawings.

[0014]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a plastic molded case having the bezel panel mounting system according to the present invention with a cutaway panel disposed therein.

[0015]FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the plastic molded case and bezel panel mounting system as shown in FIG. 1.

[0016]FIG. 3 is a top view of a bezel corner piece and a bezel rail according to the present invention.

[0017]FIG. 4 is a side view of the bezel corner piece shown in FIG. 3.

[0018]FIG. 5 is an end view of a bezel rail according to the present invention.

[0019] Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0020] A bezel panel mounting system 12 for mounting a panel P in a molded plastic case 14, according to the present invention, is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The plastic molded case 14 has a bottom 15 with four adjacent sides 17 extending upwards from the bottom 15 forming rounded corners 22 at the intersections thereof. The sides 17 and the corners 22 of conventional cases typically extend from the bottom 15 at an angle typically on the order of 92 degrees thereby creating a draft angle of two degrees greater than normal with respect to the bottom 15. The mounting system 12 is disposed within the case 14 for supporting the panel P.

[0021] The bezel panel mounting system 12 is composed of four corner pieces 16 and rails 18 disposed between the corner pieces 16. The plastic case 14 shown in the figures has four corners and four rails; however, plastic cases having three or more corners and an equal number of rails are encompassed by the present invention. Each corner piece 16, as seen most clearly in FIGS. 3 and 4, has two legs 20 extending substantially normal from a rounded endpoint 58 wherein each rounded endpoint 58 corresponds geometrically with a corner 22 of the molded plastic case 14.

[0022] Each leg 20 has a male member 26 opposite the endpoint 58 which male member 26 has a geometric shape. Each rail 18 has two ends 28 with a female feature 30, shown on end in FIG. 5, having a corresponding geometric shape for mating with the male member 26. Each rail 18 and corner piece 16 has corresponding flat surfaces 32 and 34 disposed to support the panel P thereon, as shown in FIG. 1. Each rail 18 has an inner side 36 and an outer side 38 extending substantially parallel to one another and at substantially right angles from the flat surface 32 with the outer sides 38 matching the draft angle of the case parallel to the case's side. Each corner piece 16 also has an inner side 40 and an outer side 42 extending substantially parallel to one another and at substantially right angles from the flat surface 34 with side 42 matching the draft angle of the case parallel to the case's side. Crevices 44 and 46 are disposed adjacent the flat surfaces 32 and 34 and outer sides 38 and 42 of each rail 18 and corner piece 16 for receiving a gasket 39.

[0023]FIGS. 4 and 5 show a draft angle on the sides 42 of the corner pieces 16. The rails 18 also have the same draft angle depicted on the sides 38 thereof, as shown. This draft angle is frequently an angle of about two degrees as mentioned hereinbefore. The draft angle may be greater than or less than two degrees. Alternatively, the draft angle may be non-existent in which case the sides 17 and corners 22 of the plastic case 14 extend substantially parallel to the bottom 15 of the case 14, and the sides 42 and 38 of the corner pieces 16 and the rails 18 are perpendicular to their surfaces 32 and 34. The sides 42 and 38 of the corner pieces 16 and the rails 18 are designed to match the degree draft, and thereby correspond geometrically with the sides 17 and corners 22 of the molded plastic case 14.

[0024] Each rail 18 has at least one opening 48 disposed through the outer side 38 to receive a retainer device 50 for securing the rail 18 to an inner side 17 of the molded plastic case 14. Each side 17 of the case 14 has a corresponding opening 49 therethrough to receive the retainer device 50 for securing the rail 18 to an inner side 17 of the case 14. The retainer devices 50 used in the present invention may be screws, rivets or any other similar device. Each corner piece 16 may also have at least one opening 52 disposed through the outer side 42 for receiving a retainer device 50 for securing the corner piece 16 to an inner corner 22 of the molded plastic case 14. Each corner 22 of the case 14 has a corresponding opening 53 therethrough to receive a retainer device 50 for securing the corner piece 16 to an inner corner 22 of the case 14.

[0025] Each rail 18 also has at least one opening 54 disposed along the flat surface 32 to receive a retainer device 50 for securing the panel P to the flat surface 32. Each corner piece 16 may have at least one opening (not shown) disposed along the flat surface 34 to receive a retainer device 50 for securing the panel P to the flat surface 34. O-rings 56 may be disposed adjacent the openings 48 and 52 in the outer sides 38 and 42 of the rails 18 and corner pieces 16 for receiving retainer devices 50 therethrough. The O-rings 56 are disposed between the openings 48 and 52 in the outer side 38 and 42 of the rail 18 and corner piece 16, if present, and the corresponding openings 49 and 53 in the side 17 and corner 22 of the case 14 for receiving the retainer devices 50 therethrough. O-rings may be disposed under the head of the retainer devices 50 to provide sealing. The O-rings may be replaced by gaskets or other suitable sealing apparatuses.

[0026] The corner pieces 16 are preferably made of molded plastic and the rails 18 are typically aluminum extrusions. By cutting the rails 18 to the appropriate length, the same panel mounting system 12 can be used in any of a wide variety of case 14 sizes. The corner pieces 16 are universal. Molded plastic cases 14 typically have a few degrees of draft on the side walls to make removal from the mold easier. Use of the described mounting system 12 allows the mounting system 12 to be moved up or down in a given case 14 to any desired height. This is accomplished by cutting the rails 18 a little shorter than the length required for a perfect fit at the top of the case 14 without changing the relative location of any mounting openings 48, 52, and 54. At the top of the case 14 small gaps would be seen between the corner 16 and rails 18. When the mounting system 12 is positioned further into the case 14 the gaps gradually close. Alternatively, the rails 18 can be cut to the exact length required for any mounting height in a given case 14 as desired.

[0027] It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A bezel panel mounting system for mounting a panel in a molded plastic case at an adjustable height, said mounting system comprising: corner pieces and rails disposed between said corner pieces; each corner piece having two legs extending substantially normal from a rounded endpoint wherein each rounded endpoint corresponds geometrically with a corner of the molded plastic case; each leg having a male member opposite said endpoint which male member has a geometric shape; each rail having two ends with a female feature having a corresponding geometric shape for mating with said male member; and each rail and corner piece having corresponding flat surfaces disposed to support the panel thereon, and inner and outer sides extending substantially parallel to one another and at substantially right angles from said flat surface.
 2. The bezel panel mounting system of claim 1, further comprising: a crevice disposed adjacent said flat surfaces and outer sides of each rail and corner piece for receiving a gasket.
 3. The bezel panel mounting system of claim 1, wherein: each rail has at least one opening disposed through said outer side thereof for receiving a retainer device for securing said rail to an inner side of the molded plastic case.
 4. The bezel panel mounting system of claim 1, wherein: each corner piece has at least one opening disposed through said outer side for receiving a retainer device for securing said corner piece to an inner corner of the molded plastic case.
 5. The bezel panel mounting system of claim 1, wherein: each rail has at least one opening disposed along said flat surface to receive a retainer device for securing the panel to said flat surface.
 6. The bezel panel mounting system of claim 1, wherein: each corner piece has at least one opening disposed along said flat surface to receive a retainer device for securing the panel to said flat surface.
 7. The bezel panel mounting system of claim 3, further comprising: O-rings disposed adjacent said at least one opening in said outer side of said rail for receiving said retainer device therethrough.
 8. The bezel panel mounting system of claim 4, further comprising: O-rings disposed adjacent said at least one opening in said outer side of said corner piece for receiving said retainer device therethrough.
 9. The bezel panel mounting system of claim 2, wherein: each rail has at least one opening disposed through said outer side to receive a retainer device for securing said rail to an inner side of the molded plastic case.
 10. The bezel panel mounting system of claim 9, further comprising: O-rings disposed adjacent said at least one opening in said outer side of said rail for receiving said retainer device therethrough.
 11. The bezel panel mounting system of claim 10, wherein: each rail has at least one opening disposed along said flat surface for receiving a retainer device for securing the panel to said flat surface.
 12. The bezel panel mounting system of claim 11, wherein: each corner piece has at least one opening disposed along said flat surface for receiving a retainer device for securing the panel to said flat surface.
 13. A plastic molded case for panel supported equipment, said case comprising: a case having a bottom with four adjacent sides extending upwards from said bottom forming rounded corners at intersections thereof; said case having a mounting system disposed therein for supporting a panel, said mounting system comprising; four corner pieces and four rails; each corner piece having two legs extending substantially normal from a rounded endpoint wherein each rounded endpoint corresponds geometrically with a corner of said case; each leg having a male member opposite said endpoint which male member has a geometric shape; each rail having two ends with a female feature having a corresponding geometric shape for mating with said male member; and each rail and corner piece having corresponding flat surfaces disposed to support the panel thereon, and inner and outer sides extending substantially parallel to one another and at substantially right angles from said flat surface.
 14. The plastic molded case of claim 13, further comprising: a crevice disposed adjacent said flat surfaces and outer sides of each rail and corner for receiving a gasket.
 15. The plastic molded case of claim 13, wherein: each rail has at least one opening disposed through said outer side, and each side of said case has a corresponding opening therethrough to receive a retainer device securing said rail to an inner side of said case.
 16. The plastic molded case of claim 13, wherein: each corner piece has at least one opening disposed through said outer side, and each corner of said case has a corresponding opening therethrough to receive a retainer device for securing said corner piece to an inner corner of said case.
 17. The plastic molded case of claim 13, wherein: each rail has at least one opening disposed along said flat surface to receive a retainer device for securing the equipment panel to said flat surface.
 18. The plastic molded case of claim 13, wherein: each corner piece has at least one opening disposed along said flat surface to receive a retainer device for securing the equipment panel to said flat surface.
 19. The plastic molded case of claim 15, further comprising: O-rings disposed between said at least one opening in said outer side of said rail and said corresponding opening in said side of said case for receiving said retainer device therethrough.
 20. The plastic molded case of claim 16, further comprising: O-rings disposed between said at least one opening in the outer side of said corner piece and said corresponding opening in said corner of said case for receiving said retainer device therethrough.
 21. A bezel corner piece comprising two legs extending substantially normal from a rounded endpoint wherein each rounded endpoint corresponds geometrically with a corner of a molded plastic case each leg having a male member opposite the endpoint which male member has a geometric shape, a flat surface disposed to support a panel thereon, and inner and outer sides extending substantially parallel to one another and at substantially right angles from said flat surface.
 22. The bezel corner piece of claim 21, further comprising a crevice disposed adjacent said flat surface and outer side for receiving a gasket.
 23. The bezel corner piece of claim 22, further comprising at least one opening disposed through said outer side thereof to receive a retainer device for securing said corner piece to an inner corner of a molded plastic box.
 24. The bezel corner piece of claim 22, further comprising at least one opening disposed along said flat surface to receive a retainer device for securing a panel to said flat surface. 